Beyond Conventional Regulation of Technology Transfer in Cameroon

Conventional approaches to technology transfer regulation, anchored in formal legal instruments such as patent licensing, foreign direct investment and structured technical assistance, have been in the spotlight for decades as the primary channels that enable technology to be transferred, often overlooking informal channels. Much of technological learning, adaptation and diffusion in Cameroon occurs outside formal arrangements, and these processes are unregulated. This article examines informal technology transfer in Cameroon using a doctrinal and qualitative methodology, drawing on legal analysis of Cameroon’s statutory instruments, including the Investment Code, the revised Bangui Agreement under OAPI, and copyright legislation, alongside documented sectoral evidence from international development assessments across digital financial services, manufacturing, and the software ecosystem. The study argues that informal transfer mechanisms generate technological capabilities comparable to those produced by formal agreements, particularly through tacit knowledge, embodied skills, and relational learning. Yet, the absence of regulatory oversight creates challenges, including quality inconsistencies, intellectual property uncertainty, and weak alignment with national development strategies. Rather than imposing rigid controls, the article proposes a facilitative regulatory framework that recognizes the developmental value of informality. It advocates for soft law instruments, competency-based certification, and public-private coordination platforms to enhance knowledge circulation and inclusive innovation. Ultimately, the study shifts the focus of technology transfer governance from ownership and enforcement toward absorption, coordination, and facilitation grounded in the realities of informal technological change.